10-19-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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WORK STUDY SESSION WS.A. YOUTH SERVICES PLAN STATUS REPORT Recreation and Community Services Executive Director Cleve Williams presented an overview of the Youth Services Plan currently under development by staff. Information on the City's primary assets, which include financial resources targeted for Santa gna youth by the City, County of Orange, Santa gna Unified School District, and Federal and State grants, and the large number of collaborative efforts addressing youth issues, formed the foundation of the presentation. Williams also described in detail the major challenges facing Santa Ana youth including the large number of youth in the City and the small number of public parks, community centers, and youth clubs, as well as the low economic status of the families of these children. Also of significance is the school dropout rate and the high rate of teen pregnancies. The Youth Services Plan will reduce juvenile crime and violence, keep young people out of gangs and off of drugs, reduce teen pregnancy and increase opportunities for young people to succeed in school by developing a methodology and recommendations to address each of these areas. The preliminary recommendations include the following: · Strategic alliances to coordinate resources · Youth Commission recognized by the City Council · Joint use of community facilities · Prevention focus The final Plan is expected to be submitted to the City Council in March 1999, and the implementation of the Plan will commence in April 1999. The Councilmembers congratulated Williams and the staffon the impressive work already accomplished and offered their support. They also made the following comments and suggestions: · Involve school districts because it is the constituencies of the districts that are under discussion; · Seek out youth organizations and learn how to garner the meaningful support of youth leaders; and · Communicate with the faith community because that group has youth leaders, volunteers, experience in working with youth, and otlen available space. In conclusion, Mayor Pulido expressed his gratitude for a job well done with the Youth Services Plan status report and requested additional information regarding dropout rates, teen pregnancy rates, and level of facility programming in cities cited in preliminary report. Pulido stressed the importance of: · Parenting classes offered by the Santa Ana Unified School District noting the Plan must include all school districts that enroll Santa gna students; CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 305 OCTOBER 19, 1998 Ii [llil Ii ~ tll i i i i [11 ] I